New Bachelor of Science in Robotics and Autonomous Systems Engineering launches at VCU College of Engineering in fall of 2026
The degree path addresses the growing demand for interdisciplinary experience needed in advanced AI and automation industries
The first undergraduate degree for Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) Engineering in the Commonwealth of Virginia will launch at the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) College of Engineering this fall.
Advances in AI and automation are growing the demand for engineers who can design, integrate and deploy robotic and autonomous systems across industries like manufacturing, healthcare, defense and transportation. The global robotics market is projected to grow from $11.5 billion to $78.8 billion by 2033. Virginia alone is forecasted to add more than 10,000 jobs in aerospace and unmanned systems over the next decade.
“It’s our duty as educators to look forward and imagine what the future needs of industry will be in order to prepare our students for that world,” said Azim Eskandarian, D.Sc., the Alice T. and William H. Goodwin Jr. Dean of the VCU College of Engineering. “We have created a unique, project-based program. Our specialty courses in robotics and autonomous systems are designed to be project-based, allowing graduates to engage in creative, hands-on learning. The fundamental prerequisite courses are taught conventionally to provide a strong math, science and engineering foundation.
The four‑year Bachelor of Science requires 121 credit hours and includes a two‑semester senior capstone where students design and build working robotic or autonomous systems. It will be taught by faculty from electrical and computer engineering, mechanical and nuclear engineering and computer science, highlighting the importance of the cross-disciplinary skillset necessary for this advanced career path. Three new full-time faculty will join the College of Engineering to support this degree, complementing existing faculty expertise, and a dedicated instructional robotics lab will accompany the program’s launch.
Courses in mechatronics, robotics, feedback control, artificial intelligence and embedded systems form the core of the B.S. in Robotics and Autonomous Systems Engineering, along with foundational math and computer science prerequisites. Hands-on, project-based learning emulates the kind of environment students will work in as full-time engineers after graduation. Ethics and systems-thinking coursework round out the program’s offerings, teaching students to be adaptable in a rapidly changing field where innovation is key to success.
“We expect our first RAS Engineering class to graduate in the spring of 2030, and will seek ABET accreditation soon after,” said Eskandarian. “By late 2031 we hope to have a program students and industry can count on to lead the field of robotics and autonomous systems to a future with limitless potential. The purpose of our Bachelor of Science in Robotics and Autonomous Systems Engineering is to create an interdisciplinary, real-world educational experience for students that prepares them for life after graduation. It also creates a talent pipeline for our many industry partners who need this expertise to remain competitive in the marketplace.”
The VCU College of Engineering offers innovative undergraduate and graduate degree programs tailored to meet the demands of the rapidly evolving engineering field. As part of a premier research university, students are given the opportunity to perform real-world research in our state-of-the-art facilities as soon as they enroll. Browse videos and recent news to discover how the College of Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University prepares the next generation of scientists and engineers for the challenges of the future.
Categories Computer Science, Electrical & Computer Engineering, General College, Mechanical & Nuclear Engineering